Hike in the New Year at Va. State Parks

Every Virginia state park, like Lake Anna (pictured), is offering special hike options on New Years Day.

Here’s an idea for outdoors lovers on New Years Day: Find your nearest State Park and go for a hike. As part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes, all 36 of Virginia’s state parks will be offering special offerings.

Self-led and ranger-led hikes and activities vary by park. For example, Douthat State Park in Millboro will host a hike led by the Alleghany Highlands Master Naturalists, and Mason Neck State Park in Lorton will hold three ranger-led hikes of varying difficulty to the park’s bird observation blinds.

In conjunction with First Day Hikes, Virginia State Parks will hold a special photo contest. Prizes include stays in a lodge and a cabin as well as annual passes. Click here for contest information.

About Andy Thompson

I was the Outdoors Columnist at the Times-Dispatch from 2007 to 2013, writing twice a week about mountain biking, fishing, hunting, paddling and much more. I live a 1/4 mile from the James River, close enough to see bald eagles soaring over my house on their way to find a meal. Pretty cool, eh?